The New England Patriots have undergone significant changes this offseason under the direction of head coach Mike Vrabel. As part of a restructuring effort, the team revamped its quarterback lineup, moving forward with Drake Maye as the starter. Veteran backup Jacoby Brissett was not retained during free agency, and third-string quarterback Joe Milton was traded to the Dallas Cowboys.
To fill these gaps, the Patriots signed veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs and undrafted rookie Ben Wooldridge. Since their arrival, Dobbs has established himself as the backup quarterback, with Wooldridge currently positioned as the third-string option. This hierarchy has remained unchanged as the team progresses through training camp.
Vrabel Addresses Quarterback Performance
As the Patriots prepare for their second joint practice session with the Minnesota Vikings, Vrabel confirmed that Dobbs is maintaining his spot as the backup. “Josh is the backup right now,” Vrabel stated. “Not that that couldn’t change. You know, Ben’s working hard, and we’ll see. We’re always trying to strengthen the roster each and every day, but Josh is in there.”
Dobbs, who joined the Patriots in March under a two-year, $8 million contract, was brought in primarily to serve as a mentor for Maye. The 30-year-old quarterback has experience as a starter, with 15 career starts across eight NFL teams, including a previous stint under Vrabel in Tennessee.
However, recent performances have raised concerns about his consistency. In the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Washington Commanders, Dobbs completed just 5 of 12 passes for 45 yards. His lack of precision was evident, leading to missed opportunities on the field. Additionally, during the first day of joint practices with the Vikings, Dobbs threw two interceptions, one of which would have been a pick-six in a game scenario.
Vrabel emphasized the need for improvement, saying, “Josh just has to be more consistent. Had an unfortunate interception in a two-minute drill and throwing it into robber, and ball placement has to be better. He’s getting the same looks that Drake’s getting, and it’s not easy, but that’s not an excuse.”
Wooldridge’s Development Progress
While Wooldridge has been performing better in practice, he has not received the same amount of quality repetitions as Dobbs or Maye. The coaching staff continues to evaluate the situation but has not indicated any imminent changes to the depth chart.
As training camp progresses, the Patriots are focused on developing their quarterbacks, particularly with the regular season approaching. The team’s decisions regarding the quarterback position will be pivotal as they aim to strengthen their overall roster.
For now, the Patriots remain committed to their current hierarchy, with Dobbs holding the backup role and Wooldridge working diligently to improve. As Vrabel noted, consistency will be key for Dobbs if he wants to solidify his position in the team’s quarterback lineup.
